Snapshots- Chapter 4: Albert Einstein at School

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Chapter 4: Albert Einstein at School

Class: XI
(Snapshots)

Exercise 1

Question 1

What do you understand of Einstein’s nature from his conversations with his history teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher?

Answer 1

Einstein’s behavior looked to be extremely unmanageable. He did not believe in the system of education prevailing back then. His nature was an unconstrained one. He felt that memorising dates and facts were useless. Ideas enticed him much more than facts due to which he had a heated argument with his history teacher on education. He was so fidgety and indifferent towards the importance of attending school that if he wouldn’t attend it, it wouldn’t mind him at all. We come to know that he was a student who actually had some interest in mathematics from his conversation with his mathematics teacher. Maths was the only class in which he paid a lot of attention and didn’t waste his time ever. He wasn’t very open in front of his Mathematics teacher. His behavior had turned mild before his teacher which showed his level of respect and obedience for elders. Later, when he confronted the headmaster, we see that he is defensive at the beginning & carefree by the end of the meeting.

Question 2

The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.

Answer 2

Yes, that’s true but only in exceptional cases. Few students are gifted with amazing talents & a very sharp brain. They are ahead of their age as well as their classmates. The school system lacks any provision to recognize the talent & aptitude of these students. As a consequence, it does less good and more harm to the student. Not all the students studying in the same class are equally bright or ignoramus.

Question 3

How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation?

Answer 3
There lies a humungous line of difference separating the concepts of information gathering & insight formation. Information gathering directs to the piling of facts & data. It relates to the knowledge of unique situations or events that have either been received by communication or have been gathered. Insight formation, on the other hand, directs towards the perception that one has of things through his own deep understanding of a subject. It means to develop the quality of thinking without depending on others i.e. independent thinking. Insight refers to the capacity to perceive the actual nature of the situation. Hence it differs from person to person, depending upon their concepts & ideas.